democracy de-moc-ra-cy / dĭ-mŏk-rə-sē   noun 1. a form of government where the power is retained by the people either directly or through elected representatives Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education. Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1882 – 1945   2. a political unit that is governed by the people Democracy is “government... Read More

infliction in-flic-tion / ĭn-flĭk-shən noun 1. the act of imposing something unpleasant or unwelcome that must be endured Military necessity does not admit of cruelty – that is, the infliction of suffering for the sake of suffering or for revenge, . . . nor of torture to extort confessions. Abraham Lincoln, 1809 – 1865 2. something that is imposed on another, such as punishment or suffering Death comes... Read More

republic re-pub-lic / rĭ-pŭb-lĭk   noun 1. a form of government in which the people, through elected representatives, retain the supreme power; or the political unit or nation with such a government I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Pledge was originally written... Read More

histrionics his-tri-on-ics / hĭs-trē-ŏn-ĭks noun 1. overly dramatic or emotional behavior No histrionics, just the facts. Rush Limbaugh, 1951 – 2021 2. theatrical performance; dramatic presentation I prefer the smaller acting than big histrionics. Viggo Mortensen, 1958 –

perplexing per-plex-ing / pər-plĕks-ĭng adjective 1. difficult to grasp or understand clearly; puzzling We have been given the gift of life in this perplexing world to become who we ultimately are: creatures of boundless love, caring compassion, and wisdom. Wayne Teasdale, 1945 – 2004

cymbal cym-bal / sĭm-bəl noun 1. a large round, concave metal plate that is struck with another or with a drumstick to make a clashing sound, used as a percussion instrument Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. I Corinthians 13:1-3 (KJV) __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ symbol sym-bol / sĭm-bəl noun 1. anything that stands... Read More

métier mé-tier / mĕ-tyā, mā-tyā noun 1. an occupation; a field of business or trade, particularly one that is well suited for a person Monsieur, I begged my aunt to have me taught lace-mending soon after we came to Brussels, because I knew it was a METIER, a trade which was easily learnt, and by which I could earn some money very soon. From “The Professor” by... Read More

veritable ver-i-ta-ble / vĕr-ĭ-tə-bəl adjective 1. genuine; real, often used to emphasize the appropriateness of a metaphor The extermination of the buffalo has been a veritable tragedy of the animal world. Theodore Roosevelt, 1858 – 1919

obtuse ob-tuse / ŏb-to͞os, ŏb-tyo͞os, əb-to͞os, əb-tyo͞os   adjective 1. of an angle, greater than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees I saw that two of its iron angles were now acute — two, consequently, obtuse. From “The Pit and the Pendulum” by Edgar Allen Poe, 1809 – 1849   2. not mentally quick or perceptive One of the most obtuse superstitions is the superstition of... Read More

waver wa-ver / wā-vər noun 1. the act of vacillating back and forth The walls were covered with thick, dark curtains that in the waver of the flashlight’s beam appeared almost, but not quite, black. From “Windeye: Stories” by Brian Evenson, 1966 – 2. someone or something that waves or creates waves Le Mans winner Robin Frijns was the one who came closest to hitting the flag waver,... Read More